Shield assembly for computer enclosure and pressing machine for making it

ABSTRACT

A pressing machine ( 10 ) for combining metal members ( 16 ) and plastic members ( 14 ) of shield assembles ( 12 ) includes a workbench ( 60 ), a cylinder ( 54 ), a guide device ( 100 ), and a pressing device ( 200 ). The workbench defines channels ( 70 ) for receiving the corresponding plastic members thereon. The pressing device includes two pressing blocks ( 220 ) defining cross indentions ( 228 ) for receiving protrusions formed in the plastic members to allow the metal members to be downwardly pressed thereby causing the cross cuts defined in the metal member to engage with the cross protrusions of the plastic member, and a pressing bar ( 222 ) forming pressing feet ( 232 ) for downwardly pressing inclined plates ( 40 ) formed in the metal members to allow apertures ( 42 ) defined in the inclined plates to engage with projections ( 24 ) formed in the tabs ( 22 ) of the plastic members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invenation

[0002] The present invention relates to a shield assembly for a computerenclosure and a pressing machine for making the shield assembly, andparticularly to a shield assembly for ready attaching to a computerenclosure and a pressing machine for pressing the shield assemblytogether.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] A support bracket in a computer enclosure often defines a numberof cavities for accommodating data storage devices therein. A frontpanel of the computer enclosure accordingly defines a number of openingsfor insertion of the data storage devices. A number of metal shields isattached in the openings of the front panel, to prevent electromagneticradiation generated by the computer from coming out of the computer.Such metal shields are commonly integral with the front panel. When adata storage device is required to be installed, a metal shield isremoved from the front panel using a tool.

[0005] However, removing this kind of metal shield from the front panelwith a tool is unduly inconvenient. Furthermore, the metal shield cannotbe reused. Thus when a data storage device is removed from the supportbracket, the opening of the front panel cannot be covered back overagain with the shield. This allows electromagnetic radiation to come outof the computer, or necessitates use of a replacement shield.

[0006] It is strongly desired to provide a shield assembly for acomputer enclosure which overcomes the above problems encountered in therelated art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide ashield assembly for covering an opening defined in a computer enclosure,to prevent electromagnetic radiation from coming out of the computer.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a pressingmachine which can readily make the shield assembly.

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned objects, a shield assembly of thepresent invention comprises a plastic member and a metal member attachedon the plastic member. The plastic member forms a tab with a projectionand a plurality of cross protrusions. The metal member has a gap forextension of the tab therethrough, an inclined plate defining anaperture for engaging with the projection to prevent the metal memberfrom moving relative to the plastic member in a vertical direction, anda plurality of cross cuts for engaging with the cross protrusions toprevent the metal member from moving relative to the plastic member in ahorizontal direction.

[0010] The pressing machine for combining the metal member and theplastic member of the shield assembly together comprises a workbench, acylinder, a guide device, a pressing device and a coupling bar connectedbetween the cylinder and the pressing device. The workbench comprises aposition board defining a plurality of channels for receiving thecorresponding plastic members thereon. The pressing device comprises apair of pressing blocks and a pressing bar between the pressing blocks.Each pressing block defines a plurality of cross indentions forreceiving the protrusions of the plastic members. This allows the metalmember to be downwardly pressed, thereby causing the cross cuts of themetal member to engage with the cross protrusions of the plastic member.The pressing bar comprises a plurality of pressing feet for downwardlypressing the inclined plates of the metal members, to allow the inclinedplates to engage with the projections of the plastic member in theapertures thereof.

[0011] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the presentinvention will be drawn from the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to theattached drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is an assembled view of a shield assembly in accordancewith the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the circled portion II of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pressing machine for combiningthe shield assembly of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a base of a guide device of thepressing machine of FIG. 3;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pressing block of FIG. 3;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a bottom planar view of FIG. 5; and

[0018]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pressing bar of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a shield assembly 12 in accordancewith the present invention comprises a plastic member 14 and a metalmember 16 attached on an inner side of the plastic member 14.

[0020] The plastic member 14 is rectangular. A tab 22 extends upwardlyfrom a central portion of the inner side of the plastic member 14. Aprojection 24 is formed on one side wall of the tab 22. Four crossprotrusions 20 respectively extend upwardly from the inner side of theplastic member 14, two on each side of the tab 22. A pair of spacedfasteners 26 extends upwardly from one end of the inner side of theplastic member 14. A pair of hooks 28 extends upwardly from the otherend of the inner side of the plastic member 14, opposite to thefasteners 26. Four cross cuts 34 are defined in the metal member 16 forreceiving the four cross protrusions 20 of the plastic member 14, toprevent the metal member 16 from moving relative to the plastic member14 in a horizontal direction. A gap 38 is defined in a central portionof the metal member 16, for extension of the tab 22 of the plasticmember 14 therethrough. An inclined plate 40 extends from an edge of themetal member 16, adjacent the gap 38. An aperture 42 is defined in afree end of the inclined plate 40 for receiving the projection 24 of theplastic member 14, to prevent the metal member 16 from moving relativeto the plastic member 14 in a vertical direction. A pair of first arms48 extends from one end of the metal member 16. A first cutout 46 isdefined between the pair of first arms 48. Each first arm 48 defines acutaway 50 in a free end thereof, for extension of the correspondingfastener 26 of the plastic member 14 therethrough. A pair of second arms58 extends from the other end of the metal member 16. A second cutout 56is defined between the pair of second arms 58. Each second arm 58defines a hole 59 therein, for extension of the corresponding hook 28 ofthe plastic member 14 therethrough.

[0021] In use, the shield assembly 12 is embedded in an opening definedin a front panel of a computer enclosure (not shown). The fasteners 26and the hooks 28 of the shield assembly 12 are respectively engaged withthe computer enclosure. The first and second arms 48, 58 are resilientlyretained against the enclosure such that the metal member 16 covers theopening. Thus electromagnetic radiation is prevented from coming out ofthe opening.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 3, a pressing machine 10 combines correspondingmetal members 16 and plastic members 14 together to form shieldassemblies 12 of the present invention. The pressing machine 10comprises a cylinder 54, a workbench 60, a guide device 100, a pressingdevice 200, and a coupling bar 205 connected between the cylinder 54 andthe pressing device 200.

[0023] The workbench 60 comprises four side walls 62 and a top wall 64disposed on the four side walls 62. A mounting board 66 is secured onthe top wall 64. A position board 68 is mounted on the mounted board 66.A plurality of channels 70 is defined in a top surface of the positionboard 68, for receiving the plastic members 14 of the shield assemblies12. Three through holes 72 are defined in a front portion of the topwall 64 of the workbench 60, for mounting three buttons 74 therein. Apair of support plates 76 is secured on a rear portion of the top wall64, opposite to the buttons 74. A vertical plate 78 is connected betweenside walls of the pair of the support plates 76, forming a space (notlabeled) for receiving a control circuit (not shown) therein.

[0024] Referring also to FIG. 4, the guide device 100 comprises a base110, a pair of guide bushings 112, and a pair of guide posts 114. Arecess 116 is defined in a central portion of a top surface of the base110, forming a pair of shoulders 124 on opposite sides of the recess116. A passageway 118 is defined in the base 110, below the recess 116.Four first shoulder holes 120 are defined in the base 110, below therecess 116 and around the passageway 118. Each shoulder 124 forms aconnecting portion 126 extending upwardly from one end thereof. A secondshoulder hole 130 is defined in each shoulder 124. Each connectingportion 126 defines a screw hole 128, for extension of a bolt (notshown) therethrough to engage with the vertical plate 78 and therebysecure the base 110 on the workbench 60.

[0025] The cylinder 54 is secured on the base 110 with a chassis (notlabeled) thereof received in the recess 116. Four screws 122 areextended through the shoulder holes 120 of the base 110 to engage withthreaded holes (not labeled) defined in the cylinder 54. The guidebushings 112 interferentially engage with the base 110 in the secondshoulder holes 130. The guide posts 114 respectively extend through thecorresponding guide bushings 112.

[0026] Referring also to FIGS. 5-7, the pressing device 200 comprises aconnecting plate 210, a bottom plate 212, a pair of pressing blocks 220,and a pressing bar 222. The connecting plate 210 is secured on a topsurface of the bottom plate 212. The guide posts 114 of the guide device100 are secured on opposite sides of the connecting plate 210. Thepressing bar 222 is secured under a central portion of a bottom surfaceof the bottom plate 212. The pair of pressing blocks 220 is respectivelysecured under the bottom surface of the bottom plate 212, on oppositesides of the pressing bar 222. Each pressing block 220 defines alongitudinal groove 224 in a center of a bottom surface thereof. Aplurality of spaced slots 226 is defined in the bottom surface of thepressing block 220, perpendicular to the longitudinal groove 224,thereby forming a plurality of cross indentions 228. A pair ofstanchions 230 is formed on opposite sides of the bottom surface of thepressing block 220. The pressing bar 222 forms a plurality of press feet232, corresponding to the channels 70 of the position board 68.

[0027] In operation, the plastic members 14 of the shield assembly 12are respectively placed on the channels 70 of the position board 68. Thecorresponding metal members 16 are placed on the plastic members 14,with the cross cuts 34 of the metal members 16 above the correspondingcross protrusions 20 of the plastic member 14. The fasteners 26 of theplastic members 14 respectively extend through the correspondingcutaways 50 of the metal members 16, and the hooks 28 of the plasticmembers 14 extend through the corresponding holes 60 of the metalmembers 16. The power supply button of the buttons 74 is then turned on.The coupling bar 205 is pushed downwardly by air pressure of thecylinder 54. The pressing device 200 is accordingly downwardly moved.The cross indentions 228 of the pressing block 220 respectively receivethe corresponding cross protrusions 20 of the plastic member 14 therein,and the bottom surface of the pressing block 220 downwardly presses themetal members 16 near the cross openings 340 of the metal members 16.The press feet 232 of the pressing bar 222 respectively downwardly pressthe inclined plates 40 of the metal members 16, thereby causing theinclined plates 40 to downwardly snap on the corresponding projections24. The coupling bar 205 continues to move downwardly until thestanchions 230 of the pressing block 220 abut the position board 68 ofthe workbench 60. At this time, the cross protrusions 20 of the plasticmembers 14 are completely received in the cross cuts 34 of the metalmembers 16, and the apertures 42 of the metal member 16 engage with theprojections 24 of the plastic member 16.

[0028] It is understood that the invention may be embodied in otherforms without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, the presentexamples and embodiments are to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limitedto the details given herein.

1. A shield assembly for covering an opening defined in a computerenclosure comprising: a plastic member having at least two protrusions,a tab, and at least one hook and fastener at opposite sides thereof forengaging with the enclosure; and a metal member attached on the plasticmember, the metal member having at least two openings for engaging withthe protrusions of the plastic member to prevent the metal member frommoving relative to the plastic member in a horizontal direction, a gapfor extension of the tab therethrough, and a plate for engaging with thetab to prevent the metal member from moving relative to the plasticmember in a vertical direction.
 2. A shield assembly as claimed in claim1, wherein a projection is formed in the tab, and an aperture is definedin a free end of the inclined plate for engaging with the projection ofthe tab.
 3. A shield assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein at leastone first and second arms extend from opposite ends of the metal member,for engaging with edges of the enclosure adjacent the opening.
 4. Ashield assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein each first arm defines acutaway for extension of the fastener of the plastic membertherethrough, and each second arm defines a hole for extension of thehook of the plastic member therein.
 5. A pressing machine for making ashield assembly comprising: a cylinder; a workbench having a supportplate, and a position board defining a plurality of channels forreceiving plastic members of the shield assemblies; a pressing devicecomprising at least one pressing blocks and a pressing bar, eachpressing block defining a plurality of cross indentions for receivingprotrusions of the plastic members of the shield assemblies to allow thepressing block to downwardly press metal members of the shieldassemblies to cause cross openings defined in the metal member to engagewith the protrusions of the plastic members of the shield assemblies,the pressing bar having press feet adapted for downwardly pressinginclined plates formed in the metal member to cause the inclined platesto engage with tabs formed in the plastic members; a coupling barconnected between the cylinder and the pressing device; and a guidedevice for guiding movement of the pressing device.
 6. The pressingmachine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cross indentions of thepressing block are formed by defining a longitudinal groove and aplurality of slots perpendicular to the groove in a bottom surfacethereof.
 7. The pressing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein thepressing block forms at least one stanchion on one end of a bottomsurface thereof, for abutting the position board of the workbench tostop the downward movement of the pressing device.
 8. The pressingmachine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pressing device furthercomprises a bottom plate, and wherein the connecting plate is secured onthe bottom plate and the pressing blocks and the pressing bar aresecured under the bottom plate.
 9. The pressing machine as claimed inclaim 5, wherein the workbench further comprises four side walls and atop wall covered on the side walls, and wherein the position board ismounted on the top wall.
 10. The pressing machine as claimed in claim 9,wherein buttons are mounted on the top wall, opposite to the positionboard.
 11. The pressing machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the guidedevice comprises a base secured on the support plate of the workbench, apair of guide bushings interferentially engaging with the base, a pairof guide posts movably extending through the corresponding guidebushing, and wherein the guide posts are secured in the connecting plateof the pressing device.